The Blog of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference

MARAC in Philadelphia: The Sweets Spots: Bakeries

If your day is not complete without a little (or a big) something sweet, Philadelphia has a plethora of bakeries from which to choose. From specialty shops to long-standing family businesses, the below bakeries are just a few of the numerous in the city that will satisfy any and all baked good cravings.

Near the hotel:

Tartes, 216 Arch Street A quaint, small batch bakery in Old City that specializes in not only tartes, such as chocolate, coconut cream, and apple crumb, but also cookies, dessert bars, and cakes.

If you find yourself in Center City, check out:

Swiss Haus Bakery, 35 S. 19th Street Butterscotch bowties, tea cookies, and hazelnut cake are just a few of the treats to be found at this European-style bakery in Philadelphia for over 85 years.

Metropolitan Bakery, 262 S. 19th Street A European-style bakery serving up breakfast fare from croissants to muffins, as well as hearty and crusty breads, and desserts ranging from brownies to flourless chocolate cake. Try a canelé if you want something a little different.

Brown Betty Dessert Boutique, Liberty Place, 1st floor by the 17th Street entrance, between Market and Chestnut Streets Many agree that this “boutique” makes the best cupcakes in the city. Red velvet, chocolate peanut butter, and lemon curd are but a few of the tempting flavors.

Federal Donuts, 1632 Sansom Street This shop opens at 7AM with not your typical cake donuts. “Hots” are cooked and bathed in a sugary coating of your choice on site and to order, with “fancys” in unique rotating flavors like creamsicle, cookies ‘n cream, and sticky bun also available.

Heading to South Philadelphia, you may wish to try:

Isgro’s, 1009 Christian Street Be prepared for a line in this cozy Italian bakery where cannolis, Italian rum cake, and all manner of Italian cookies, pastries, and desserts can be had.

Termini Bros., 1523 S. 8th Street Another South Philadelphia favorite where your baked goods are placed on a tray as you order. Also known for their cannoli, Termini’s also serves up traditional Sfogliatelle (layers of crisp pastry filled with ricotta), vanilla crunch cake, and pignoli cookies.

Also, for your consideration:

Magpie, 1622 South Street Dessert and savory pies made with seasonal ingredients are the focus of this specialty bakery. The butterscotch bourbon is a staple.

Kermit’s Bake Shoppe, 2204 Washington Avenue A bakery serving up old favorites like banana bread and chocolate chip cookies, in addition to raspberry chocolate tarts, pastry pockets, and red velvet crumb cake. Not to mention pizza and fudge to boot.

About MARAC

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC) is a professional organization for archivists who live and work in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia, and in the District of Columbia.